Chapter IX.—Pray for the church in
Syria.

Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, which now
has God for its shepherd, instead of me. Jesus Christ alone will oversee
it, and your love [will also regard it]. But as for me, I am ashamed to
be counted one of them; for indeed I am not worthy, as being the very
last of them, and one born out of due time.874874 Comp. 1 Cor. xv. 8,
9. But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I
shall attain to God. My
spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches that have received me in
the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. For even those
Churches which were not875875
Some refer this to the jurisdiction of Ignatius. near to me
in the way, I mean according to the flesh,876876 i.e., the outward road he had to
travel. have gone before me,877877 Or, “have sent me forward;” comp.
Tit. iii. 13. city by city, [to meet
me.]

Remember in your prayers the Church which is in Syria,
which, instead of me, has now for its shepherd the Lord, who says,
“I am the good Shepherd.” And He alone will oversee it, as
well as your love towards Him. But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted
one of them; for I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, and one
born out of due time. But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I
shall attain to God. My
spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches which have received me
in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. For even those
Churches which were not near to me in the way, have brought me forward,
city by city.